Transport of amino acids and calcium in the fungus, Phytophthora infestans.

Amino acid transport in the cells of calcium-dependent fungus Phytophthora infestans has been largely studied with respect to phenylalanine. It is defined as an active process in a number of characteristics. The reasons for that are as follows: 1) accumulation of amino acids is inhibited by carbodiimide and ruthenium red, which suggests the participation of an intermediate; 2) the transport is energy-dependent, since it is inhibited by potassium cyanide, sodium azide and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Cold-osmotic shock results in the inhibition of the amino acid and glucose transport 20-80 times without inhibiting calcium transport. The data obtained suggest that the transport systems of amino acids and calcium are probably not interrelated.